(Source: RailAmerica press release, April 11, 2012)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — RailAmerica, Inc. today reported that its total freight carloads in March 2012 were 74,414, down 3.0% from 76,732 in March 2011.
The Company increased shipments in March 2012 in four out of 12 commodity groups compared to March 2011. The largest increases were in Motor Vehicles, Metallic Ores and Metals, and Forest Products. Motor Vehicles were up primarily due to increased carloads in the Midwest and West regions. Metallic Ores and Metals increased primarily due to higher shipments in the Northeast, Southeast and Central regions. Forest Products were higher primarily due to increased shipments in the West region.
The largest declines were in Non-Metallic Minerals and Products, Coal and Chemicals. Non-Metallic Minerals and Products carloads decreased primarily due to lower shipments in the Northeast, Southeast and Central regions. Coal carloads were lower primarily due to fewer shipments in the Central U.S. Chemicals were down primarily due to lower shipments in the Northeast region.
March 2012 carloads include 662 carloads from the acquisition of three railroads in Alabama. On a “same railroad” basis, carloads decreased 3.9%.
RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short-line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 44 individual railroads with approximately 7,400 miles of track in 28 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces.